By Don Wallace
sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com
What a difference a week makes.
In recent weeks coaches were reluctant to talk to sports scribes like me because of a lack of football success.
But with Friday’s win by all four teams in the Cherokee Sideline Report area, coaches are smiling and talking like they have a new lease on life.
Jacksonville won for the first time since downing rival Palestine on Sept. 21. To say it was a long time coming is an understatement. The Indians had 41 days without a win, five weeks they got all dressed up, played as hard as they could and had nothing to show for it.
The 27-14 win over Hallsville was like a magic elixir that made everything all right. Indians coach Randy Copeland was seen exchanging high fives and hugs with players. “It’s always good to win” the coach said.
The Rusk Eagles also had a five-game losing streak snapped Friday against Center.
“The sky looks bluer and the sun is brighter,” Rusk coach Wayne Mahaffey chuckled.
To understand why Rusk is so happy you have to relate to their season. They’ve lost to Huntington, a team which hadn’t won a district game in a decade. The Eagles have also surrendered more than 400 points. Amazingly, the 25-15 win at Center kept Rusk in the playoff hunt.
Speaking of the playoffs, Bullard is back in the race after winning its first game in district after several heartbreaking losses. The Panthers were very glad to get a Charlie Moore field goal in the final seconds to claim a 15-14 upset win in Brownsboro.
Alto seems to always win, and joined the party as well. They notched a win for the 23rd time over the last two years with a 59-0 win at Cross Roads. The Jackets need a victory Friday to win their second straight undefeated district title.
Winning cure a lot of woes it seems.
Local Sports
Area grid coaches happy with recent wins
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Lady Jaguars’ get strong effort, shoot poorly in latest loss to KC
Jacksonville College fought hard, but just could not hit enough shots to get the job done in its latest Region XIV game against Kilgore College.
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Carden scores 18 but Jaguars falter late against ‘Dogs; Navarro wins 61-58
The Jaguars from Jacksonville College outplayed host Navarro College for most of the night, but the Bulldogs came on strong in the final seven minutes and when the final horn had sounded at the Wolens Special Events Center, it was the 'Dogs that had secured the 71-68 victory.
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LMC ladies lose a close one to No. 19 Paris
Cold shooting spurts to open both halves of play was basically what prevented the Lon Morris College Lady Bearcats from handing the No. 19-ranked Paris Junior College Lady Dragons an upset on Wednesday evening at the Smith Events Center.
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New Summerfield girls to open playoffs in Kilgore
The 2012 UIL state Class A, Division I, playoff road for the New Summerfield Lady Hornet basketball team will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Kilgore.
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Wounded Bearcats fall to Dragons, 83-66
Paris Junior College took advantage of Lon Morris College's thin ranks — the Bearcats dressed just nine men out (due to injuries) for Wednesday's Region XIV game — by dispensing an 83-66 loss to the 'Cats at the Smith Events Center.
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Region XIV Men's Preview: LMC hosts Paris; Jags visit ‘Dog House’
While not in any immediate danger of not making the Region XIV Championship Tournament early next month, both the Lon Morris College Bearcats and the Jacksonville College Jaguars, who are tied fifth in the South Zone, realize there is far more uncertainty as to their status then neither would feel comfortable with as conference play nears its halfway point this week.
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JHS’s Weaver wins 2nd in boy’s singles at John Tyler tennis tourney
Jacksonville Tribe tennis departed from the John Tyler Tennis Tournament on Friday with a second-place winner, while having a consolation champion as well.
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Campbell to represent J'ville in state Golden Gloves; Troup Boxing Gym shines in Tyler
Jerrion Campbell of the Jacksonville Boxing Club will be representing team East Texas at the Texas State Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament, which will take place on Feb. 29-March 3 in Fort Worth.
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Lady Tiger, Panther lifters excel at Chapel Hill Meet
The Troup High School girl's powerlifting team came in second out of 10 schools and the Bullard Panther lifters finished fourth among 15 teams in the Chapel Hill Powerlifting Meet on Saturday.
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Texas Lock-N-Load announce 2012 roster
The Texas Lock-N-Load, a Jacksonville-based 12 and under travel softball team, has released its player roster for the 2012 season.
Coaches Cory Hicks and Lyston LeMay have selected, Trinity Dudley, Winter Hammons, Jacey Hicks, Abbie Cleaver, Kaci Cummins, Sydney Smith and Desheera Whitaker. - More Local Sports Headlines
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Lady Jaguars’ get strong effort, shoot poorly in latest loss to KC
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